Some months ago I was feeling joyful over a physical healing that had taken place. The condition had changed for the better, and the apparent danger had passed; now everything was well again. In the midst of my joy, these words of Christ Jesus' came to thought: "In this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven." Luke 10:20. Jesus had spoken these words to the seventy disciples who were rejoicing over the many healings they were witnessing.
My interpretation of this message was, "Don't rejoice just because the physical scene has changed for the better; rather, rejoice because you are included in God's, Spirit's, harmonious creation, safe and sound, forever under divine law—rejoice only over your spiritual circumstances."
Almost immediately I saw the subtle error of my ways. The human condition is precarious. While it's appropriate, and in accord with divine law, to expect health and concord in one's life, to be joyful merely over a healthy physical condition, or good material circumstances, is really entertaining a false sense of security. It's putting our trust in outward conditions rather than in God. We simply cannot depend upon so-called material good. We must learn to draw joy only from what we understand of spiritual reality, which is always good.
